The Hampshire Police and Crime Panel (PCP) has today approved the proposed precept increase asked for by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire, Michael Lane, which will result in an increase to Council Tax of £10 per year for a band D property, equating to 19p per week.

Under proposals set out by the Police and Crime Commissioner at the meeting, the increase will be used to help keep our communities safer with the recruitment of an additional 250 Police officers. One hundred and fifty-six of these officers are being funded by Government and the Commissioner has approved a further 94 officers to be recruited. The funding increase will also help to improve public contact with the Police through investment in the contact centres, enabling 999 and 101 calls to be handled more effectively. Further investment will also be made in new technology to fight crime, improve security and free up Police officers to spend more time in their communities.

Chairman of Hampshire's Police and Crime Panel, Councillor David Stewart, said: "We have carefully considered the request put forward by Mr Lane and following careful scrutiny of the case put forward, we have given our support to the Commissioner’s planned budget for 2020/21. This additional investment in local policing across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, signifies the Commissioner’s ongoing commitment to ensuring our communities remain amongst the safest places to live, work and visit.

The panel was further reassured by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), who have recognised the Constabulary as good in all areas. We have also been encouraged by Mr Lane’s work over the course of the last year to consult members of the public and partners on his proposal and their feedback is reflected in our decision today.”

Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said: “We welcome the support from the public, the members of the Police and Crime Panel, and the Police and Crime Commissioner. On a day when Hampshire Constabulary has been independently graded as “Good” in every performance category, this is yet more good news. The extra funding will help us to ensure that the additional officers and staff we are recruiting are as effective as possible in protecting our local communities.”

Set up in 2012, the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel’s role is to scrutinise and support the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner and maintain a regular check and balance on his performance.

More details on the work of the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel.